Lionel Messi Misses Penalty Kick, As Joe Hart Saves Man City’s Dreams (Video)

Lionel Messi ceases to be a superhero when he steps up to the penalty spot.

Messi missed a penalty kick Tuesday in the dying moments of Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart saved Messi’s penalty kick, and the Barcelona superstar headed his follow-up effort wide to the astonishment of the soccer world.

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Messi would have given Barcelona a commanding lead in its round of 16 series, but the miss makes the March 18 return leg a far more interesting matchup than it otherwise would be. Manchester City can advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time if it beats Barcelona by a score greater than 1-0.

Messi undoubtedly is one of the greatest goal scorers in world soccer history, but his legend wanes in penalty-kick situations. Messi now has missed 13 penalties for Barcelona since 2004.

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After the game, a journalist asked Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique whether he would strip Messi of penalty-kick duties. Enrique answered with a resounding “no.”

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